No...it is a joke. We had a very malicious false spoiler for TAR in 2009...guess where??

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"I can't speak for production, but I really like that people see us when we're traveling around the world. If you're a fan of the show, ... you're going to be more excited because you want to see what happens." --Phil Keoghan

I would rather look at a hundred faux spoilers than miss the one good one...so all around!

No...I think this one was mailiously done with intent to deceive.

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"I can't speak for production, but I really like that people see us when we're traveling around the world. If you're a fan of the show, ... you're going to be more excited because you want to see what happens." --Phil Keoghan

"I can't speak for production, but I really like that people see us when we're traveling around the world. If you're a fan of the show, ... you're going to be more excited because you want to see what happens." --Phil Keoghan

"I can't speak for production, but I really like that people see us when we're traveling around the world. If you're a fan of the show, ... you're going to be more excited because you want to see what happens." --Phil Keoghan

Okay, this is confusing me. I swung by the MCG on my way to work today to check out the light tower used for the task, and... the arrangement we have doesn't seem to make any logistical sense. We know:

1. The race started on the turf inside the stadium.2. The abseiling task happened on Light Tower 4.3. Cars and backpacks were located at the Dennis Lillee Statue.

BUT:

1. Light Tower 4 is in plain view of Melbourne's largest intersection of train lines, with at least one train passing through on average every thirty seconds, and the 'G isn't exactly the sort of landmark that doesn't capture peoples' attention. How didn't we get a spoiler?2. The Lillee statue is in front Light Tower 6, suggesting there was nowhere closer for the crew to park the rental cars. But there's a network of small one-lane roads through the fields surrounding the 'G, including one that travels right next to Light Tower 4.3. If teams were to run from Light Tower 4 to Light Tower 6, they would be running clockwise. But the way the bags are aligned makes it appear as though teams ran in the opposite direction -- almost three times as far.

About 5-10 minutes ago, about halfway through Deal or No Deal, there was yet another promo, and this one focussed primarily on Chris & Anastasia, the dating couple. The promo shows them bickering, as well as them doing one task, in which Chris is pouring a bucketful of some red fluid into a funnel-shaped object. Chris says something along the lines of, "They don't make women like they used to." Then Grant does his usual "11 unforgetable Aussie teams" routine.

1. Light Tower 4 is in plain view of Melbourne's largest intersection of train lines, with at least one train passing through on average every thirty seconds, and the 'G isn't exactly the sort of landmark that doesn't capture peoples' attention. How didn't we get a spoiler?

After watching Essendon vs. Collingwood at the MCG, I can say with absolute confidence that it would be nearly impossible to see a person moving down any of the light towers from in the trains. They are simply too far away to be able to see it clearly.

Some Spoilers: There are times when you look at Aussie adaptations of international shows and you feel like apologising.

Iron Chef Australia, Survivor Australia, the first series of The X Factor -you know who you are.

The Amazing Race Australia puts them all to shame. Phil Keoghan would be hooked on this version.

From understanding the format, to casting host and contestants, to not skimping on the production costs, this ticks all the boxes.

We open hovering over the city of Melbourne, which host Grant Bowler tells us is considered the sporting capital of Australia. Then we see Bowler: on the roof of the MCG. Heading towards him is a posse of 11 choppers with the teams that are about to compete. Big statement.

On the MCG’s hallowed turf Bowler, who has previously impressed as a host on The Mole when not acting on True Blood, Lost, Ugly Betty and voicing Border Security, explains the basics of the contest to the teams. You get the feeling it’s more for those at home who haven’t watched the US series rather than the contestants.

This lot are already dressed in attire that fastracks us to their personalities: farmers, Big W ladies, Muslims, models, surfers. They know this show like the back of their hand. Video profiles are full of amusing statements (“Running doesn’t really come into our lives!”) and work hard to set up relationships. Even the Aussie upward inflection is ripped straight out of Fountain Lakes and planted into the Race.

The Aussie race includes an Express Pass, which will assist a team to skip upcoming challenges. The grand prize, isn’t the $1M that gives Phil Keoghan his menacing power, but $250,000. It feels a little disappointing but in truth it is more than what is offered on MasterChef Australia. Seven must be kicking itself a bloke on Minute to Win It walked off with $500,000 just for bouncing two ping pong balls into two glasses. Hardly seems equitable.

The first Roadblock takes place at the MCG (“I’m so knackered!” yells one bloke) before teams speed off in cars bound for Melbourne airport. Some teams struggle with the local traffic, the farmers seem pretty overwhelmed by the frenzy of the city. Another team looks at a tram stop and asks “is that a road?” Yet another team will struggle with the airport car park and we’re not even out of the country. This will be fun.

The first destination is Bali. Teams hit the ground running, grabbing taxis to their first port of call. Just like US teams, the Aussies are already showing a lack of international manners and speaking in condescending tones. In a desperate plea to endear themselves to their driver, one team even tells him, “Big Australian kiss. You take Australian princesses.” Seriously.

Searching for a clue in a Balinese fishing village sees Aussies “runnin’ around like headless chooks.” Another moment sees them participate in a local custom that looks aggressive but has cultural meaning. One bloke takes it pretty personally. “You’re pussies!” he barks.

As with each TAR Detour, there are two choices of challenges that are locally influenced. One is physical, the other draws upon an ability to improvise. The Aussies aren’t very good at them either, with the locals giggling at their hapless mastering of some pretty everyday tasks. Another challenge will test their mental skills.

Throughout the extended premiere episode the production values on the show are excellent. There are aerial shots, underwater shots, shots inside vehicles, shots in front and behind teams racing, and shots from behind airline counters. The soundtrack, undoubtedly sourced from the US edition, helps highlight the tension. There are even those annoying re-caps after commercial breaks.

Teams crumble under the conditions, already at odds with the climate, language, their physical limits and inability to communicate. Simple mistakes cost some dearly. Relationships that are already at breaking point seem doomed. This is where The Amazing Race works so well, when its casting, competition and travel elements collude so perfectly under a ticking clock. Some teams look ripe fomisbecoming perfect Reality villains.

ActiveTV, who have already produced The Amazing Race Asia, clearly know this show well.

Bowler is more relaxed than Keoghan, but we are a long way from the revolving door of Seven hosts who would have brought baggage on this journey.

So that confirms the abseiling is indeed a RoadBlock (yay, me), and confirms the fishing village search is back -- which means the only changes from TARA4's leg is the graveyard Detour being switched for selling bakso, and the addition of the Melbourne segment.

After watching Essendon vs. Collingwood at the MCG, I can say with absolute confidence that it would be nearly impossible to see a person moving down any of the light towers from in the trains. They are simply too far away to be able to see it clearly.

Depends where you're coming from and which train track you're on. The tracks closest to the tower are used for city-bound trains from Belgrave, Lilydale, Alamein, and Glen Waverley, and they're close enough you can make out individual blades of grass in the area beneath the tower.

Saw a sneak peak promo on Seven last night. It claimed there were 12 countries visited including Czech Republic, The Netherlands which flashed up in text. Can't remember many of the other countries but Sri Lanka was one, also possibly Germany? I'd say these countries may possibly include transit stops?

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"I wish the world was flat like the old days, and I could travel just by folding a map."

One thing stumping me is where that sheep herding is done... possibly South Africa?

Bungee jumping seems to be the one off Bloukrans Bridge, South Africa as in TARI. The route info in TARI at Kragga Kamma Game Park involving driving with logs through the mud course seems there too. I suspect the ice hockey would be somewhere in Europe.

I think teams (one I noted was Tom & Matt) appear to be in a mine, which I would suspect to be the Wieliczka Salt Mine in Krakow, which we found may have been visited later in TAR Israel 2.